In 2021, we are still experiencing some uncertainties around COVID-19 and we want to recognise that these things might still be impacting our students. Hence, Academic Safety Net will be applied in 2021 as we adjust to a new normal; however, it will be applied somewhat differently. In 2021, Academic Safety Net will provide protection against fail grades (N and DNS) only.

This means:

• If you engage with your studies but happen to fail a unit in 2021, it will be changed to the special AS – Academic Safety Net grade
• The fail grade will be excluded from the calculation of your GPA
• The fail grade will not be recorded on your transcript. The special AS – Academic Safety Net grade will show on your transcript
• We will continue to monitor your progress even though we will not record fail grades for teaching periods in 2021. As always, we want to discuss the next steps and link you with tailored support and advice for future studies.
• There is an exception for some practicum units required for professional accreditation, the fail grade for these units will stay in place

When will Academic Safety Net be applied to my results?

The Academic Safety Net solution for 2021 is now implemented and will be automatically applied to your unit results. This applies to all units that commence in 2021 and to units that commenced in 2020 and have an end date after 1^st April 2021.

What is the difference between Academic Safety Net in 2020 vs in 2021?

 

	ASN 2020	ASN 2021
Protection against fail grade (N, DNS)	Yes	Yes
Protection against passing grades having negative impact on GPA	Yes	No
Special Grades	AS, ASP, ASC, ASD	AS
GPA calculation and  Academic transcript	Above grades excluded from GPA calculation and recorded on students’ academic transcript	Above grade excluded from GPA calculation and recorded on students’ academic transcript
Teaching periods included	All teaching periods commencing in 2020 where: End date is after 1st April 2020 but before 1st April 2021	All teaching periods commencing in 2021 Teaching periods which started in 2020 and have an end date after 1/4/2021
Description	The Academic Safety Net was established in 2020 to protect student Grade Point Average (GPA) from any negative changes to their academic record due to the considerable disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic	The goal of Academic Safety Net in 2021 is to get to a new normal state and will be applied somewhat differently. In 2021 Academic Safety Net will provide protection against fail grade/s (N and DNS) only. The fail grade will be excluded from the calculation of Grade Point Average.

 

 

What happens if I fail a unit?

If you happen to fail a unit in the teaching periods included in Academic Safety Net 2021, the Fail (N) grade will not be recorded on your transcript or negatively affect your GPA.

Instead of a Fail grade, you will get an AS - Academic Safety Net grade. The AS grade will not count towards your GPA, protecting your GPA from negative impact.

The following fail grades will be converted to the AS - Academic Safety Net grade:

• N (Fail and Fail due to withdrawal after teaching week 10)
• DNS (Did Not Submit)

Which teaching periods are included in Academic Safety Net 2021?

• All teaching periods which commence in 2021
• Teaching period started in 2020 and has an end date after 1/4/2021
• Includes all standard and non-standard teaching periods
• Applies to teaching periods at both onshore and TNE locations

What will show on my academic transcript?

• If you happen to fail a unit, the Academic Safety Net (AS) grade will show on your academic transcript and no numerical mark will be recorded
• All passing grades (P, C, D and HD) and corresponding numerical marks will be recorded as per usual

The Academic Transcript is a complete record of all your studies at Murdoch University. It records each course you have completed, and hence all units must be shown even if they have received a special grade.

As a complete record of your learning, the academic transcript may be used as proof of eligibility requirements with other institutions, government or Centrelink, for example.

What will show in the Student Portal?

If you happen to fail a unit, the Fail grade will be changed to the special AS - Academic Safety Net grade and show the numerical grade achieved where available.

All passing grades (P, C, D and HD) and corresponding numerical marks achieved will show as per usual.

How will GPA be calculated under Academic Safety Net 2021?

If you happen to fail a unit, the Fail grade will be changed to the special AS - Academic Safety Net grade and excluded from the GPA calculation.

For example,

Grade	Achievable credit points	GPA level	Achievable credit points * GPA level	Impact on GPA per ASN 2021	Final grades recorded	Final GPA
C	3	2	6	Include in GPA	C
D	3	3	9	Include In GPA	D
N	3	0	0	Exclude from GPA	AS
						2.5

 

GPA calculation:

GPA = Achievable credit points * GPA level/Achievable credit points

GPA = 15/6

GPA = 2.5

For more information, refer to the Grade Point Average Calculation webpage.

If I get an AS grade, do I still have to repeat the unit?

Yes, the AS grade identifies that the unit was impacted by the challenging circumstances; we will continue to monitor your progress even though we will not record the fail grade for the teaching period; you do have to repeat the unit if this is a required unit for your course.

Have I still incurred the financial liability for the unit if I get an AS grade?

Yes, you have still incurred the financial liability (fees/debt) for the unit if you get an AS grade.

Will my fees be refunded for the unit if I get an AS grade?

No, your fees (or HELP liability for domestic students) will not be refunded for the unit if you get an AS grade.

What will happen to academic progression?

Even though we will not record the fail grade for the teaching period, academic progression reviews will continue to apply to the AS grade; with appropriate interventions for students and an awareness of disruption to learning and wellbeing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are there any exceptions to Academic Safety Net 2021?

There is an exception for some practicum units that are required for professional accreditation. Fail grades for these units will remain in place. If this applies to you, please speak to your Academic Chair who can advise you accordingly. 

Will I be eligible for a supplementary exam/assessment?

Yes, supplementary examinations and assessments will continue as per University’s Assessment Policy. Academic Safety Net will apply to the grade recorded for the supplementary assessment or exam where the final grade is N.

How do I know if I am eligible for Academic Safety Net 2021?

If you are a Murdoch University student enrolled in a teaching period included in the Academic Safety Net 2021 (see Which teaching periods are included in Academic Safety Net 2021?) you are eligible for Academic Safety Net. Academic Safety Net is applied to coursework units only.

Academic Safety Net also applies to students enrolled through

• Open Universities Australia (OUA) programs
• FutureLearn programs

Academic Safety Net applies to all domestic, international and transnational students.

I am an Honours student, does Academic Safety Net apply to me?

Academic Safety Net applies only to the coursework component of the Honours program. Assessment and grading of the non-coursework component will not change. For non-coursework components, please get in touch with your respective Academic Chair or Supervisor who can advise you accordingly.

Can I opt-out of Academic Safety Net?

No, Academic Safety Net will be automatically applied to all student results for the teaching periods included under the Academic Safety Net 2021. The Academic Safety Net 2021 has been established to provide protection against fail grade/s.

There is an exception for some practicum units that are required for professional accreditation. Fail grades for these units will continue to be recorded.

Will Academic Safety Net grades affect course transfers?

Course transfers would continue to run as per the normal process. If the course you wish to transfer to has special entry requirements, you will still need to meet those requirements. If you have any questions about course transfers, you can speak to myMurdoch Advice or The Student Centre for onshore support.

Singapore Student Help: email Singapore.studenthelp@murdoch.edu.au for offshore support in Singapore.

Dubai Student Services: email dubai.studentservices@murdoch.edu.au for offshore support in Dubai.